Following a PIL with widespread allegations against the functioning of Reliance Group’s animal rescue centre Vantara located in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, the Supreme Court on Monday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT will investigate allegations against Anant Ambani’s Vantara (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) run by the Reliance Foundation regarding how it sources animals from India and abroad, how the animals are treated and complaints regarding issues of financial compliance. The SIT has been directed to submit the report by September 12, 2025.
The SIT will probe the compliance with the provisions of the Wildlfie Protection Act and other relevant statutes in the acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants. The SIT will be assisted by the Central Zoo Authority, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Management Authority, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the State Government of Gujarat, including its Forest and Police Departments.
A bench comprising Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Prasanna B Varale passed the order while hearing a PIL filed Advocate CR Jaya Sukin, who made allegations against the functioning of the Centre.
The SIT will be headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice J Chelameswar. Justice Raghvendra Chauhan (former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Court), Hemant Nagrale IPS (Former Mumbai Police Commissioner), Anish Gupta IRS (Addl Commissioner Customs) are the other members of the SIT.
This comes days after Elephant Madhuri (Mahadevi) case

This comes just a few days after the recent relocation of Madhuri aka Mahadevi, a 36-year-old female elephant, from a Jain temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, to the Vantara facility in Gujarat, following Supreme Court and Bombay High Court orders to ensure her rehabilitation for severe health issues, including arthritis and foot problems caused by decades of isolation and concrete confinement. The move sparked massive public protest and outrage, with locals and religious leaders calling for Madhuri’s return and the Maharashtra government seeking a review petition to bring her back, emphasizing religious and cultural significance.
What the Supreme Court said


